- The Amazing Race Season 39 episodes center on a historic twist: all 13 teams receive an Express Pass at the start.
- Episode 1 ("Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass") features an immediate pass play and instant regret.
- Episode 2 ("Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?") moves the race to Madrid, Spain, with a new alliance forming.
- Passes must be used before the end of Leg 6, creating a season-long strategic dilemma.
- Key teams include former USWNT stars Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax and the grandfather-grandson duo Doug and Dylan.
Season 39 Episode Overview
The Amazing Race Season 39 episodes reshape the show's core formula by handing every one of the 13 teams an Express Pass from the very first leg. That single rule change turns each episode into a psychological chess match as much as a physical sprint around the world. The early legs — starting in Vancouver and continuing into Madrid, Spain — set the tone for a season defined by timing, trust, and tough calls.
Video Highlights:
- All 13 teams receive an Express Pass, usable any time before the end of Leg 6
- Episode 2 travels to Madrid, where a new alliance emerges and creates tension
- One team's Express Pass strategy brings instant regret
- Featured teams include Ali Krieger & Johanna Lomax, Michelle & Matthew, and Doug & Dylan
The table below summarizes the key episode details covered by early Season 39 previews and breakdowns.
| Episode | Title | Location | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 1 | Sorry Guys, We Used Our Express Pass | Vancouver, Canada | A team burns its Express Pass immediately, sparking instant regret |
| Episode 2 | Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care? | Madrid, Spain | New alliance forms; tomato-themed Detour tease; pass tension grows |
Watch Episode 1 and Episode 2 back to back. The Express Pass decision made in the premiere directly shapes the strategic anxiety that defines the Madrid leg.
The Express Pass Twist Explained
For the first time in the show's history, every team in Season 39 starts the race holding an Express Pass — an advantage that lets a team skip a task and jump ahead. The catch: each team must play its pass before the end of Leg 6, or lose it entirely.
This twist creates three distinct strategic profiles:
Early Spenders
- Use the pass in Legs 1-2
- Bank an early lead
- Risk: no safety net later
- Episode 1 title suggests one team took this path
Mid-Race Planners
- Target Legs 3-5
- Save the pass for a feared challenge
- Risk: getting eliminated before using it
Deadline Gamblers
- Hold until Leg 6
- Maximum flexibility
- Risk: forced use on a weak leg, wasted value
| Strategy | Upside | Downside | Regret Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early spend | Front-of-pack position, safety in chaotic legs | No bailout for tougher later tasks | High |
| Mid-race use | Balanced timing, targeted problem-solving | May waste pass on a manageable task | Medium |
| Deadline hold | Full information before deciding | Elimination before Leg 6 voids the pass | High |
The Episode 2 previews make clear that at least one team's Express Pass decision "comes with instant regret." The lesson for viewers tracking the season: a pass used in Vancouver is a pass unavailable in Madrid.
Madrid Leg: Alliances and Tension
Episode 2 transports the racers to Madrid, Spain, and the previews promise more than sightseeing. A new alliance emerges among teams, and that bloc immediately changes the dynamics of the race.
Why alliances matter in The Amazing Race:
- Information sharing — allied teams exchange clues, directions, and challenge intel
- Challenge navigation — cooperation can speed up Detours and Roadblocks
- Elimination shield — strength in numbers keeps allies off the back of the pack
- Target painting — alliances attract attention, and rival teams actively counter them
The Madrid footage shows teams whispering in corners, exchanging knowing glances, and making deals that could decide the leg. For a competition built on two-person teams racing independently, a functioning alliance represents real power — and real danger.
| Alliance Benefit | Alliance Risk |
|---|---|
| Shared navigation saves time | Slower allies drag you down |
| Challenge intel reduces errors | Rivals target the bloc |
| Numbers protect against elimination | Trust can be betrayed mid-leg |
The Episode 2 title — "Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?" — almost certainly references a Detour or Roadblock task in Madrid. Odd quote-titles like this are usually spoken by a racer mid-panic, so expect a memorable challenge moment.
How to Track Every Season 39 Episode
Follow this workflow to keep up with each leg of Season 39 without missing a strategic beat.
Watch the Premiere Carefully
Note which teams mention their Express Pass in Episode 1. The premiere's title confirms at least one pass was played immediately — that team is now racing unprotected.
Map the Alliances Early
By the end of the Madrid leg, sketch which teams are cooperating. Alliances formed in Episode 2 tend to influence eliminations for several legs.
Track Pass Usage Against the Leg 6 Deadline
Keep a running count of which teams still hold their Express Pass. Every episode that passes increases the pressure on holders.
Watch Placement Trends
Teams repeatedly finishing in the bottom three without a pass are the strongest elimination candidates each week.
Revisit Sneak Peeks Between Episodes
Official previews, like the Episode 2 breakdown, often reveal locations and alliance shifts a week before air.
Treat each episode as a data point. By Leg 6, you should be able to predict both the remaining alliance structure and which teams regret their pass timing.
Key Teams to Watch
Season 39 features 13 teams, and the early episodes spotlight several compelling pairings.
| Team | Background | Early Strengths | Watch Factor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ali Krieger & Johanna Lomax | Former USWNT teammates | Elite fitness, competitive drive | Athletic dominance |
| Michelle & Matthew | Married parents | Steady communication, calm under pressure | Consistency across legs |
| Doug & Dylan | Grandfather-grandson duo | Life experience plus youthful energy | Underdog appeal |
Athletic teams like Krieger and Lomax typically dominate physical legs but can struggle with puzzle-heavy Detours — exactly the kind of task Madrid's tomato-themed challenge may prove to be.
Use this checklist to follow the season's biggest storylines:
Season 39 Viewing Checklist:
- Identify which team used its Express Pass in Episode 1
- Confirm the members of the Madrid alliance by end of Episode 2
- Track pass usage each week against the Leg 6 deadline
- Monitor the tomato-themed Detour outcome in Madrid
- Note which teams land in the bottom three for two straight legs
FAQ
Q: What is the big twist in The Amazing Race Season 39 episodes?
For the first time in the show's history, all 13 teams receive an Express Pass at the start of the race. Each team must use it before the end of Leg 6, or it expires worthless. This turns pass timing into the season's central strategic battle.
Q: Where does Episode 2 of Season 39 take place?
Episode 2, titled 'Are Tomatoes Good for Skin Care?', moves the race from Vancouver to Madrid, Spain. The leg features a new alliance among teams and at least one team dealing with regret over its Express Pass strategy.
Q: What happens if a team never uses its Express Pass?
The pass simply expires at the end of Leg 6 with no benefit. Teams that hold too long risk getting eliminated before the deadline, which is why the twist creates so much anxiety in the early episodes.
Q: Which Season 39 teams should fans watch closest?
Former USWNT teammates Ali Krieger and Johanna Lomax bring elite athleticism, married parents Michelle and Matthew offer steadiness, and the grandfather-grandson duo of Doug and Dylan provide the season's heart. All three pairings feature prominently in the early episode previews.